Goose Island Bourbon County - 2022 (Chicagoland)

Whisky Time!!!!!!

 

Are we still seeing things turding away up in the burbs.....boxed beers in particular? I've seen 30th anny at a few places downstate. Saw Barleywine at a grocery store too........36.99!

 

I originally had 3+ mixed cases each of 2013 and 2014 bourbon county 12oz variants and just finished up my last ones of each type over the last few weeks. Those beers were straight magic!!! 8-9 years later and still held up incredibly well and were, imo, better right now than any of their current counterparts (can't compare bw though with the current version being 2 year). 2014 coffee today is every bit as good as 2022. For reference, mine were aged in 50 - 60 degrees their entire life which is a big part of why mine held up so well.

 

Had lunch at Moretti's Rosemont earlier today and ducked in to Rosemont Liquors in the same strip mall just for kicks. They had at least 1 case of everything sitting on the floor - including Prop, 30th and BW. I think 30th & BW were each like $40 to $42 plus tax, FWIW.

PS - Moretti's also has 2019 BCS original on tap, and some other fresh hoppy stuff like ZD, Tend, etc.

 

yes, but wild Turkey

 

Having the 2YR now, definitely get the VSOJ comparisons. One thing I hate that Rev has done to my palate is that I'm instantly almost disappointed when someone else does a beer that reminds me of their BA stuff, because I already drink so much of it, lol.

 

There’s no BT this year.

 

SO, what did you think?! You can't say you consumed it but just skip over that review part.

 

Saw a whole case on the shelf at Binny's. And another shop with a whole case on the floor but they were charging $49 a bottle.

 

So what's the consensus on the 2yr BW? A solid beer, but nothing unique or mind blowing to justify the price? Or is it a must try because it offers something new or excellent? This is the only one giving me FOMO.

 

I haven't had it, but I have FOMO and a bit obsessive. This would be my take away from aggregating information:

It's an outstanding beer. It's in the same vein as some of the other reserve style beers, but this is a BW, and the intent for this beer is to be big, bold and boozy (i.e. bourbon forward). The degree to which someone finds it sweet is going to be tied closely to whether someone finds wheated whiskey sweet (people often do find wheaters to be sweeter, and they evoke notes of carmel and butterscotch). If you're sweet-sensitive or not a fan of big, boozy beers, you may not like it. It isn't going to be as nuanced (fresh) as other BWs - it will need some time. Right now, it's all bold. If you like stouts more than BWs, you probably won't enjoy it was much as '20 Birthday, Weller Anniversary (as two recent knock outs, where most people think at least one is exceptional).

A fellow BA that is every bit as much of a BCBS fanboy as I am said, "It's exceptional, but if given the choice between Rare '15 and this, I'd probably pick Rare". For him, Rare'15 is in the top 5 of any BCBS released.

Maybe 'likes' can help solidify how much people agree with this.

 

I'm just a regular guy, and not a huge barleywine fan by any means in comparison to my love for WCIPAs, PAs and BA Stouts. I do prefer an English BW over an American BW, a rare style/instance I prefer a malty beer over a hoppy beer, though I do like one well executed American BW such as SN Bigfoot.

Based solely on my 2 oz sample at FOBAB, I thought GI 2yr BW was good/solid, but too sweet for my taste, and I didn't consider buying. It would have been difficult drinking the whole bottle, but would consider grabbing a bottle as a gift / to share with 1-2 other people who really wanted to try it.

I did buy coffee based on my similarly sized FOBAB sample, partially based on my personal preference, but also based on the execution of the beer. I disregarded the fact that Coffee was overpriced at 24.99 to experience a full pour (well two, since I split across two pours and it held up very well capped over 48 ish hours). I did not have the same curiosity for BW, and wouldn't have at a $13.99 or $24.99 price point.

With zero consideration of price/value, I'd prefer a can of Rev SJ or a VSOJ over 2YR BW if given the option of a free or purchase option (at same price). Not a commentary on the brewery or price, strictly on the beer and only the beer.

As always, YMMV.

 

Evergreen Park

 

I think Monday was the day that Binny's was going to put out the BCS bottles that weren't picked up by lottery winners.....which would explain the several bottles of anny that I found downstate and everythign out at the EP location.

 

Sorry, I typed that up on mobile, which starts to bug out for long posts. I thought it was very good, but without spending too much effort analyzing it (because I was drinking it slightly faster than I wanted to, due to needing to get to bed for an early day today), I think it's a very good beer, and I'm glad I grabbed one, but it reminds me enough of VSOJ that it comes down to the fact that I prefer VSOJ (it has more of that butterscotchy SJ thing I love, and also generally has more of that leathery aged thing that Rev does so much with the VSO stuff), AND VSOJ is both in a form factor I prefer, and also cheaper per oz.

To HoW's question, I don't think it does much new per se, but you know how palates are. It IS more balanced than VSOJ I think, but doesn't really give me the vibes of the 2013/14 BCBBW, so I'd grab one if you're curious and have $40 to burn, but I'm definitely not in the "holy shit this is the best variant GI has done in 8 years" club.

As an aside, I've only had 2YR and Prop this year so far (I thought Prop was a cool idea, but it didn't do enough for me that I needed to grab a bottle), so I can't speak to where it stacks up with the rest of the lineup.

 

So, does this mean you aren't buying a case then?

 

Driving through the Chicago area on Sunday going back to Wisconsin (Milwaukee) from Michigan. Have to stop at More Villa Park and Phase Three to pickup beers and wondering if there are any spots close to either of these (I have no concept of location of anything in the area) that still has BW and Prop sitting out? Don't want to go super out of the way because I want to get back home but if there's someone close I could duck in real quick that'd be ideal. And if not, no biggie I'll just get in my car and get the heck out of there. Thanks!

 

By P3 you can check with the Lake Zurich Binny's. Wouldn't hurt to check out the two Jewel less than half mile away from each other. Also Mariano's super close to P3. All good BCBS hunting spots, but Binny's might be your best bet.

 

Are we still seeing a surplus at the Jewels? Of boxed variants in particular?

 

Thank you for the tips! Those seem doable in a reasonable amount of time before I head back the rest of the way to WI.

 

Cracked a Barleywine last night. It's pretty fantastic. Will it change your world? Probably not. But the more I sipped on it the more I liked it and found additional complexity. Big fig initially. Toffee. Some inner workings of vanilla. Sweetness doesn't hinder the barrel. Light Booze for its weight. Real complex and kept pulling out more I enjoyed. This is a BIG Beer but hides ABV. I had half a bottle and was feeling it pretty good. Look forward to finishing off the remaining tonight. Glad I picked up a couple to age. The only real detractor is its $40 price tag for entry. If money were no object I would consistently reach for this. Maybe I'll toss it to the side when DB VSOJ is released as it will certainly wow in both character and value departments, but for now I have no qualms having purchased a 3-Peat and may even go grab one more as a replacement to this bottle. Should be real fun letting this one age a bit and revisiting down the road. I'm giving it a 4.75/5.

 

Since you are going to be in Villa Park, Maybe check out Sal's. According to their website they have lots of BCBS variants, but maybe call first.

https://www.salsbeverageworld.com/websearch_results.html?kw=goose+island

 

Honestly I used to fomo myself into that sort of shit all the time, I'm a sucker for packaging like the Old Fitz box!

 

I don't really consider myself a sucker for marketing but that old fitz box does look pretty darn cool. It also took me a good 20 seconds of messing with it to figure out how to open it!

 

I was out hunting for brown water on my lunch break. Binny's McHenry had a lot of everything including boxed variants. I finally found the 30th Glencairn. Only a few left on the shelf.

 

Mokena Binny's released all the unpicked up allotments yesterday. For those looking in the area.

 

I will admit that I butchered the inner part trying to get it open, kind of a weird design, honestly.

 

You guys don't saber premium beer?

 

Sabering the bottle through 2 separate rigid carboard boxes = next level shitlord behavior

 

Watermelon Cicerone

 

Stopped at the Binnys in North Riverside last night and they had everything. The 2 Year and 30 year Anny was at the customer service desk and everything else was out on the floor.

 

Definitely no price gauging going on there. I think the BW was $38

 

Anyone know anywhere I can snag some BW and/or 4 packs near Loyola?

 

Try calling local Binnys and bottle shops, save you a few trips.